Ball is all out to show England selectors what he’s made of
JAKE Ball will fight for “undroppable” status in the England ranks as next year’s World Cup comes squarely into view.
The Nottinghamshire seamer will be on home ground when England face India at Trent Bridge on Thursday, in the first of three one-day internationals against the tourists.
Ball has forced his way back into England’s short-format reckoning and now admits he will strive to give the selectors no option but to keep him in the ranks.
The 27-year-old already has his eyes on next year’s 50-over World Cup on home soil, but also conceded a Test match return is never far from his thoughts either.
“It is getting close,” Ball said of next year’s Cricket World Cup.
“When you get your opportunity you have to take it. I got one game in the Australia series and felt like I came in and did well on a decent pitch at Old Trafford.
“I have to show what I can offer the team. That’s all I can do, put my name forward and try to make myself undroppable. That’s the only way to keep your place.”
England blasted a world record 50-over score of 481 for six in a 242-run victory over Australia at Trent Bridge last month, and Ball expects his home wicket to continue to favour the men at the crease on Thursday.
“As a bowling unit at Notts we talk about not letting an over get away from you,” said Ball.
“You know there will be boundaries, you know that when the infield is beaten it will be four with short boundaries and a rapid outfield. But if you go for a boundary or two early it’s about not letting an over slipping away.
“If you can manage things over the course of an innings it makes a big difference and keeps the score down. That’s worked well for us in T20 cricket, and it’s a batter’s paradise in 50 over cricket too.”